On Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that the province is investing $75 million to crack down on the flow of cross-border guns and drugs. He also disclosed the establishment of the Office of Illicit Drug Intelligence with the said move.
According to the province’s official news release, the investment aims to support initiatives that will dismantle criminal activity, enhance investigative supports, increase collaboration throughout the justice sector, and stop the flow of illegal guns across the border. In addition, a local database dedicated to the documentation of illicit firearms and gang violence across the region is also going to be established.
During his announcement, Ford stressed the need for more police officers in the province. “We need more boots on the ground,” he pointed out. However, the Premier added that these officers have also been “stressed out” with their budgets “always under review, always being chopped.”
“Gun and gang violence will not be allowed to thrive in Ontario,” Premier Ford explained. “We will do everything in our power to support our frontline policing personnel and justice sector, so they have the resources and supports needed to tackle illegal activity.”
Ford also emphasized that Ontario “will spare no expense to keep our communities and kids safe today, tomorrow and for years to come.”
